The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-06-09
FAMOUS NORTH CAROLINIANS
SOME EMINENT MEN NORTH CAR
OLINA HAS PRODUCED.

OLINA HAS PRODUCED.
A Short sketch of the Life of Peter Mall
lett Hale, Esq.,, who Died in Fayette.
vile. June 2nd, 1887.
Behold a man! Thus he looked, thus he
acted, thus he grew; this was his work, these
We're his joys, these were his battles: his de
feats, his victories; such was the front he
wore to the world, and he opened his
heart to those he loved. this was the outcome
of his life, and this is its significance. '-MER-
RIAM ON SAM BOWLES.
A history of Journalism in North Caro-
lima would be like the play of Hamlet, with
Hamlet left out, unless the career of the
Hale family was given prominent if not
the chief place. Edward J. Hale, Sr-,
the father of the late Peter. .Mallett Hale,
Esq, was for upwards of forty years edi-
tor of the Fayetteville Observer, and by
virtue of his ability, one Of the acknowl-
edged leaders of the Whig party in the
State He was trained journalist in that
he was practical printer, proof reader,
local. and political editor, and business
manager of his paper. He had been brought
up, as it were in the printing office of Mr..
Gales, editor of the Raleigh Register, and
was we'll instructed in 'the art preserva-
tive of arts The connection of the Gales
family of editors with Mr.. Hale calls up
the brightest page i'll the history of jour
nalism in North Carolina. More brilliant
men than the Gales family have not lived
in the State Better furnished or more
iaborious editors have not adorned the
editorial profession than Mr.. Edward j.
Hale, Sr, and his sons. Speaking of Mr..
Hale, Phlo D. White, Ii. D., editor of the
Carolina Watchman, said: ITO him must
award the honor of being the patriarch in
North Carolina journalism" He lived
until four score years had passed over his
head. and died leaving the priceless heri-
tage of long life of unselfish loyalty TO
his State and his party.
His eldest son, Peter NJ. Hale was given
every advantage to make him fit successor
of his able and upright father. He gradual
ed as valedctorian of his class in June.
1919 at the University of North Carolina,
and in few months became associated
with his father in the editorial work of
the Observer. Seven years later he was
married to Miss Mary, daughter OF Hon.
Geo. f. Badger, who combined those vir-
tues of head and heart that make the true
and helpful wife. With his young family,
full of work that brought fair remunera
tion, opportunity for study and recreation,
the early years of his married life were with
out perplexity and care, and full of happi-
ness. He was growing into the ripened full
of a6i Then m
Mr. Hale was a member of the Indepen
dent Light Infantry of Fayetteville and
went into the conflict with his company.
After the Bethel campaign he returned to
the sanctum where he remained until
Sherman destroyed the Observer office in
1868. Soon after, with his father, he
moved to New York, where the publishing
house of E. J. Hale & Son was established.
In 1876 Mr.. Peter NJ Hale returned to
North Carolina and with Col. Vim. l..
Saunders established the Raleigh Obser-
yer 1t was the best paper published in
North Carolina in the recollection of the
writer 1t has had no equal since 1t pass
ed out of the hands of Mr.. Hale. Meas
uring our words, we may say that it was
a GREAT PAPER, and met the needs of the
people of the State. 1t was right arm of
strength to the Democracy. 1t was vigor-
Gus, conservative, and aggressive. 1t ad-
vocated Democratic principles and Demo
cratic measures with an ability and vigor
that has since characterized no Democratic
paper in the State. In this estimate we
believe most thinking men will agree. But
after Col Saunders had been appointed
Secretary of State, the debts incurred in
the establishment of the paper caused It's
financial failure. If Mr.. Hale had been
given the needed financial help at that
time he always believed that permanent
success was near at hand. In 1880 Mr..
Hale began another paper, Hale's Weekly,
which was ably edited and a model Of ty-
biographical beauty and neatness. This
was merged in the News, which was itself
afterwards consolidated with the Obser-
yer. Afterwards he established the Raj
eigh Register which had the same excel
Iencies of Hale's Weekly. In February,
1885. Mr. Hale was elected State Printer.
La November following he discontinued
the Register He held the Office of State
Printer until 1887, and the State never had
a more faithful and pains stalking an officer
Viewing the labors of his life, now that
they are ended, there can be no question
about the service he has rendered his party
and State. AS his father was leader of
the Wing party before the war, SO was he
a leader of the Democracy of the post
bellum period. His 'Hand Book OF North
Carolina Politics. is the most valuable
campaign document that has been issued
and circulated in North Carolina in the
memory of this writer The party IN the
State owes him debt of gratitude for
collecting such valuable statistics, and
putting the issues of the campaign in such
strong and forcible style. That booK'
alone. entities him to the grateful remem-
brance of the Democracy. He also pub
isheG valuable books on ''The Woods and
Forests of North Carolina and 1.-The
Mines and Mineral Resources of North
Carolina They are books that have al
ready aided the State in securing lmml-
grafton, and will have permanent inter